COMMENTARY: Championship game-time likely won't save Matadors

It's hard to blame Sandia football coach Kevin Barker for trying to get some type of competitive advantage.

But the Matadors will need more than forcing Las Cruces High to travel on Friday to slow down a Bulldawgs offense that has proven unstoppable as the season has progressed.

Barker isn't alone in trying to get a Friday-night championship game in an effort to win the title, at the detriment of away fans who can't get off work or school in time to make the trip to Albuquerque's Wilson Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Clovis head coach Eric Roanhaus tried the same thing in 2007, losing 49-48 in overtime to Mayfield.

Barker's thinking most likely? Make the Bulldawgs prepare for a title game with one fewer day after LCHS destroyed Eldorado 55-28 in the semifinals at Wilson last Saturday in the state semifinals.

If I were Barker, I would want the extra day, possibly two, to prepare for an LCHS offense that has scored 125 points and gained over 1,400 yards with one turnover in two playoff wins.

Like any good offense, the Bulldawgs offensive line has been fantastic this season.

Three players rushed for over 100 yards against Eldorado and quarterback Jonathan Joy completed 14-of-16 passes for 300 yards through the air.

The Bulldawgs are simply a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. If a defense chooses to play man-to-man, Joy can dissect the defense with with multiple receivers and two tight ends. Las Cruces also has two solid running backs - J.J. Granados and Austin Salas - in addition to Joy, who is just as good with his legs.

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Unlike Las Cruces High's last state title in 2008, where the Bulldawgs were dominant and explosive in the run game, this year's club is the epitome of balance.

The last three games, the Bulldawgs have gone to the air first, moving up and down the field to earn a one- or two-possession lead before choking the opponent out with the run game in the second half.

I see what Barker is doing.

As a fan I wouldn't be happy about it.

As an observer of this year's Bulldawgs football team, I don't think it will matter.

Jason Groves can be reached at (575) 541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves

Gameday preperations

Second-seeded Las Cruces (10-1) travels to No. 4 Sandia (9-3) for the Class 5A State Football Championship on Friday at Wilson Stadium in Albuquerque. Some information surrounding the game for local sports fans:

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online at nmaa.ticketleap.com. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

Wilson Stadium: Wilson Stadium is located at 12200 Lomas Boulevard in Albuquerque. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Bulldawgs send off: There will be a send off at 11:45 a.m. on Friday at Las Cruces High School between the tennis courts and the gym. Plans are also under way for as many as two student buses and a fan bus.